CANANDAIGUA — A sergeant with the Ontario County Sheriff's Office testified Tuesday in the trial of Rose Chase that when he entered the basement of her home last December, he smelled an odor of something decaying.

Sgt. James Alexander testified in Ontario County Court that on Dec. 14, 2012, he was in charge of processing the scene of the Mott Road home of the Stanley woman charged with causing the death of her husband, Adam Chase, in June 2012.

Alexander testified that when he entered the residence, he "could see it was quite dirty. A lot of things were strewn about. It was just in a state of disarray."

He testified that a substance known as Luminol was applied to an approximately 2-square-foot area at the base of a staircase leading from the basement up to the first floor, as well as to another area in the basement.

Deputy Michael Rago — who also testified Tuesday — said that Luminol reacts to an enzyme in the blood and can show where blood may have been on a surface. He said the substance is applied in darkness and glows in an area when there is a reaction.

Alexander testified that this reaction occurred in the location at the base of the staircase, and that several small specks showed up at the second location. He noted, however, that some substances — such as animal feces or urine — can trigger a false positive.

Alexander further testified that samples were taken in the basement to determine if there was evidence of blood or biological material. Alexander said that, to his knowledge, the samples were sent to a laboratory for testing, and none of them came back positive.

Alexander also testified that on Aug. 10, 2012, he responded to the Mott Road home to collect several items, including two computers. He said he did not go into the basement at that time.

Alexander and Rago were among eight officers with the sheriff's office who testified Tuesday in the trial. Testimony is scheduled to continue Wednesday.

Rose was indicted in February on the charges of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and endangering the welfare of a child.

The indictment alleges that Rose "intentionally caused the death of Adam Chase" on or about June 14, 2012. It further alleges that Rose transported Mr. Chase's body from their residence to 4675 Hagerty Road in Potter and concealed it there before ultimately burning the body at that location.

Rose faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder, said Ontario County District Attorney R. Michael Tantillo.